Box Score MONTCLAIR, NJ – Forward
TJ Booth made a layup and a foul shot to win the game for the Rowan University men's basketball team in an 80-78 victory at Montclair State University on Wednesday night.
With 38 seconds remaining, the Profs trailed 77-74 after two free throws by guard Erick Loften-Harris (so. Union, NJ/Union). Forward
Chris Gross (jr. Cranford, NJ/Roselle Catholic) cut the deficit to one with a layup (0:28) and Booth (fr. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) had the assist. Rowan forward
Daniel Waynick (sr. East Windsor, NJ/Hightstown) fouled forward Devyn Ransom (fr. Jersey City, NJ/Marist) with 26 seconds on the clock. Ransom missed the first foul shot and sank the second to lead 78-76.
Booth was at the line for two free throws with nine seconds left. He made the first and missed the second then grabbed the rebound. His layup at the one-second mark put Rowan ahead 79-78 and he sealed the win with a foul shot. He ended the game with eight points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
The Profs have a 15-8 record with a 9-7 New Jersey Athletic Conference mark. The Red Hawks are 7-15 overall and 3-13 in the conference. Forward
Ike Robinson (jr. Trenton, NJ/Conwell-Egan Catholic (PA)) scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Gross contributed with 16 points and seven boards. Forward
Mike Simpson (sr. Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Twp.) chipped in with 13 points and eight rebounds. Guard Kris O'Connor (jr. Mount Laurel, NJ/Paul VI) added nine points and forward
Skylar Moore (jr. Westville, NJ/Hempstead (NY)) followed with eight.
Guard Shaun Russell (so. Brooklyn, NY/Willingboro) led Montclair State with 19 points off the bench. Ransom totaled 15 points and nine rebounds. Forward Kevin McGorry (jr. Rutherford, NJ/Rutherford) produced nine points and guard Lavrone Green (fr. Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) registered eight.
The Profs started the second half with a 37-33 advantage. Robinson's dunk (17:07) gave Rowan a 14-point lead (49-35). The Red Hawks scored six straight points to pull within eight (49-41) at 13:49. Russell had four points at the line and McGorry made a dunk. The Profs led 54-44 (12:55) after Robinson drained a three. Montclair State trailed by two (54-52) after an 8-0 run at 9:59. Russell tied the score at 59 (7:02) with a layup. Waynick followed with a basket and foul shot (6:30) for a three-point advantage (62-59).
The Red Hawks knotted the score 68-68 with 3:26 remaining. Robinson recorded a three-pointer (3:11), which put Rowan ahead 71-68. Loften-Harris had a layup (2:46) and Russell registered a three-point play (2:15) to take the lead 73-71. Russell had two points at the charity stripe (1:32) and O'Connor nailed a three (1:12). Montclair State was ahead by one (75-74).
Rowan returns home on Saturday, February 14 against Rutgers-Newark at 3 p.m. It is the Profs' last home game of the regular season.
